Photos from WAM 2023

The Richard M. Brodsky Foundation sponsored its 17th annual World AIDS Marathon, half, 10 & 5K on World AIDS Day, on the Rockaway Boardwalk to honor the memory and accomplishments of the 40,000,000+ people who have died from AIDS. We then travelled to Kenya from December 4-14 to sponsor 4 orphan dinner dances and provided medical care for orphans, sponsored a concert and art lessons for special needs kids as well as a free 5K AIDS run/walk (see photos below) and a Meet and Greet dinner with musical performances. We have the best time travelling to Kenya and helping the orphans, musicians, artists, special needs kids and runners. It has become a second home for Jodi and me. So much so, that we have come up with a plan that we are hoping that NYC/Rockaway and Kenya’s Kisumu/Dunga can be sister cities. .

I am pleased to say that at age 71-72, I will be running 5 marathons in 2024 and I qualified to run my 2nd Boston Marathon at age 70 in 2023. My job is to offer hope to people living with HIV and brain cancer that they can lead healthy productive lives if they have access to medical care, medicine, and lead an upbeat, healthy lifestyle. According to the Internet there are no other marathon runners living with HIV and brain cancer. I can only be successful in helping others with your help and my wife’s love. Jodi has promised to run a marathon with me for my 100th birthday. I do think it is likely and it is more likely if I believe it is possible. On the other hand, how likely would it be if I said there is no chance I will run a marathon for my 100th birthday. Positive thinking rules!

I have purchased extra 2023 World AIDS Marathon T-Shirts with graphics designed by Kenyan artist Edward Orato. For a $100 donation, I can send you the 2023 World AIDS Marathon t-shirt.

We were especially honored to have received a certificate from New York City Mayor Eric Adams and to have been featured on CBS News for sponsoring the only marathon in North America on World AIDS Day, boasting an oceanfront view for the entire course.

CBS Covers World AIDS Marathon on Rockaway Boardwalk

CBS reports on World AIDS Day Events including the only marathon in North America on World AIDS Day. Get tested for HIV, know your status, make sure you are not spreading AIDS. Many people have asked that we keep the virtual registration link open for the marathon, half,10 & 5K because the event was on a Friday and people had to work. People can still register through Dec 13 and upload their results. T-shirts & medals as shown below will be mailed to everyone. Thanks Mayor Adams for believing in the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation's mission, see letter below.. Running has saved my life. I'm HIV+ since 1997 and a brain cancer survivor since 2002. At ,age 71, I'm running 5 marathons and my wife Jodi will run 6.

I never knew CBS was there. I would have loved to thank the volunteers and without them these events could not succeed

Thank you Rockaway Business Alliance, Great Neck North High School, Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, Long Island Road Runners Club, Malik Fraternity, AIDS Center of Queens County for providing free AIDS testing, and everyone who showed up to support people living w/ HIV/AIDS

The Richard M. Brodsky Foundation received a certificate from Mayor Eric Adams. Even though I am not meeting with him here, I did request a meeting. My hope is that the Mayor will agree that Rockaway has the most scenic marathon course in North America; the entire course is facing the Atlantic Ocean. How cool would it be if Rockaway was also a haven for artists and musicians. Instead of the British Invasion of the 60s, we can call it the Kenyan Celebration of musicians. artists, and runners. Watch video below to make my case.

Please show your support for the Rockaways on World AIDS Day, 2023. The eyes of the world will be on the Rockaways on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2023. Wouldn't it be great if we had a huge turnout and we did get a grant to construct a pavilion fronting Jamaica Bay where Kenyans could proudly display their talents as artists, musicians, singers, dancers, songwriters and runners.

All finishers receive a dryfiit t-shirt painted by Kenyan artist Edward Orato with a matching medal. Jodi & Richard Brodsky both won 1st place masters and senior masters respectively finishing in times of 4:31:52 and 4:52;38. For full race results see link on left hand menu bar

All finishers received a medal matching the t-shirt

IN LOVING MEMORY OF TERRY BISOGNO

The day was also a chance to honor Terry Bisogno, the Voice of Long Island Racing. Bonnie Salsone, Terry's sister is pictured between Jodi and Richard Brodsky. Terry, we know you were watching us from heaven today.

Great Neck North High brought a team of 40 volunteers + participants, This is the largest AIDS Awareness Club in Nassau County.

Snacks by allroundfoods, STARBUCkS coffee from Arverne, Fresh fruit by Keyfood of East Long Beach, Bananas from Trader Joes of Hewlett, Water from Stop and Shop of Arverne.

$25 in gift certificates to all participants: $5 from Runyon's of Seaford, $5 from both The Cabana and Lido Kosher Deli (both from Long Beach), and $10 from REMY'S of Hewlett.

Proceeds to benefit the Foundation's work in Kenya, St. John's Episcopal Hospital, Harmony HealthCare Long Island, and Northwell Health.

Kisumu / Dunga / Kenya needs a sister city... NYC / Rockaway? Kenya has some incredibly talented runners, musicians, singers, dancers, artists and is surrounded by Lake Victoria. The Kisumu Impala Sanctuary faces Lake Victoria and is a five minute drive from downtown Kisumu and is at the beginning of Dunga. The video showcases Dunga through music videos with slides of Kenyan artists and even animals participating in a 5K AIDS fun run + a day at JIU PACHI where orphans dine & dance and are examined by doctors. Why can't Americans embrace and celebrate diversity like Kenyans do! My wish is for a cultural bridge between USA and Kenya with a pavilion in the Rockaways where Kenyans could sell their paintings, jewelry, clothing, and wood carvings; Kenyan musicians could have a venue to perform; a playground and communal bar-b-que area; and a fish market where fresh fish could be sold and cooked from Jamaica Bay; + a small museum/theatre which could showcase videos of Dunga and the Rockaways; and residents of the Rockaways would want to travel to Dunga and Kenya.

Jiu Pachi, Eunice Owino, CBO has hosted orphan dinner dances and events for special needs kids since 2018. The Richard M. Brodsky Foundation has sponsored 49 orphan dinner dances for 12,780 Kenyan orphans since 2006.

Dr. Bonyo and Dr. Sartori examining an orphan at Bonyo's Kenya Mission (BKM). 3.102 orphans have been examined & treated since 2011. Doctors will be examining & treating orphans at 4 orphan dinner dances in 2023: Jiu Pachi, Pastor Paul's Word Academy, Mama Sarah's home (Pres. Obama's Kenya grandmother who recently died at 99) hosted by Mama Sarah's daughter Marsat Onyango, and BKM.

December 6 2023, Jiu Pachi, a day of painting for special needs kids

Thank you Eunice Owino, CEO of Jiu Pachi for hosting the Art lessons for special needs kids. Thank you artists Edward Orato, George Omondi Odongo, Andrew Omari, Sherly Biyaki, and Maurice Opiyo for tutoring 40 kids.

December 7 2023, Meet & Greet dinner for 39 + musical performances by Coster Ojwang and Gabiro MTU Necessary

Gabiro MTU Necessary	Coster Ojwang
We invited Gloria, a special needs child, and her family to the dinner	Kevin Ong'uti Momanyi is a Kenyan board member of the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation and organizes these events for me in Kenya. A buffet dinner was also served.
All 39 guests (not counting Jodi and me) got a t-shirt from various 5Ks that Jodi and I participated in on Long Island.	Pastor Paul and his wife were very supportive and came to most of our events

December 8 2023, visit to Lake Simbi. Dec 9 orphan dinner dance at Pastor Paul's World Academy

Lake Simbi, a nice place to walk and see a array of birds.	Pastor Paul greeting our group upon arriving at Word Academy
380 orphans dined and danced.
Dr. Sartori examined & treated 54 orphans. Another doctor examined & treated 30 adults.	Terry Doyle gave 30 foot massages to kids and adults.

December 10 2023, orphan dinner dance at Mama Sarah Obama Childrens Foundation

Dr. Sartori examined & treated 34 orphans
Terry Doyle gave foot massages to 19 kids and adults	40 orphans dined & danced at Mama Sarah's home. Marsat Onyango, Mama Sarah;s daughter, hosted the event

December 11 2023, free 5K AIDS fun walk run along the shore of Lake Victoria, Dunga

Runners congregating near the start	Wilson in the red represented the Imperial Express Hotel, Jameelah Aziz and her boys kept up a good pace. Jameelah has a big heart and left all her clothing in Kenya.
All 30 finishers received a t-shirt and matching medal painted by Kenyan artist Edward Orato.	The duck with the shoe in its mouth won the race
There is something so invigorating about running along the shore of Lake Victoria. I'll be back.	The animals seem to like running with Jodi Brodsky. She will be back.